Parole board revokes statutory release of Christopher Watts and reveals allegations of troubling behaviour

CTV’s Krista Simpson explains why a man convicted of manslaughter in the death of a teen in Puslinch is back behind bars.

The Parole Board of Canada has once again revoked the statutory release of Christopher Watts.

The 66-year-old was rearrested in June after he fled from a halfway house in Montreal. A Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest and, days later, he was arrested in Hamilton.

Watts was convicted of the 2001 death of Amanda Raymond. He gave the 13-year-old Percocet, OxyContin, speed and ecstasy at a party in Puslinch. When she fell into a drug-induced coma, Watts refused to call 911. Instead, he undressed and sexually assaulted the teen. He also wrote obscene words on her body and took photos and videos. In 2003, Watts was convicted of manslaughter, sexual assault and sexual interference. He was released in 2015 and placed under a 10-year long-term supervision order (LTSO).

Watts has breached that LTSO multiple times over the last decade and he has been in-and-out of prison. He is currently serving a sub-sentence of two years, two months and eight days for one of those breaches.

The parole board revoked his statutory release on July 10.

A copy of the decision, shared with CTV News, also included new details about his flight from the Montreal halfway house.

On the run

Watts was given statutory release in May, with the requirement that he stay at community correctional centre (CCC), also called a halfway house.

“In early June, CCC staff conducted a search of the facility,” the parole board’s decision read. “In your room, staff found a bundle of cash you claimed was from selling silver at a pawn shop, and a binder containing various items including newspaper clippings, notes related to crimes, and photographs, some of which were of individuals unknown to your case management team (CMT) and marked with ‘X’s. The following morning, CCC staff observed you on camera, running away from the CCC.”

Later, when questioned, Watts allegedly said he fled because he suspected he would be arrested.

June arrest

Officers with the Halton Regional Police Service arrested Watts in Hamilton on June 9.

“Police located you outside of a liquor store and you attempted to flee but were stopped by police,” the parole board said.

Watts was with his sister at the time of his arrest.

“Your sister exited your vehicle and provided police with an iPad, a phone and a tablet, and police also located two bottles of alcohol in your possession. Upon further search of the vehicle, police found multiple cellphones, USBs and a laptop. The USBs were found concealed in the interior of the centre console of your vehicle which was only accessible by removing a panel of the car.”

The parole board said Watts appeared to have been staying at a hotel with his sister.

“Also noted was that hotel staff found a meth pipe in the room,” the decision read.

Those activities were a breach his release conditions.

More violations

The parole board noted various other infractions identified through Watts’ electronic monitoring device.

“Your devices recorded a sexual interaction you had with an adult female,” the decision read. “Police advised that hundreds of images of adult pornography were located but appear to have been viewed and deleted. Numerous URLs relating to pornography were located on the laptop, and evidence you recorded meetings with previous parole officers were on USB devices.”

They said he also sought out places where children and women were likely to be, as well as information about traveling outside the country.

“You conducted searches on devices for trails, conservation areas, beaches, an elementary school, a library, hotels and short-term rentals, strip clubs, and additional searches querying countries you could travel to without identification, fake birth certificates, and sailing without identification,” it continued. “Police also noted they located ropes, a chain and tape in the trunk of your vehicle.”

Watts’ denials and victim impact statements

When Watts was interviewed after his arrest, he denied any wrongdoing and refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing.

“You portrayed yourself as a victim who has not been afforded opportunities on release to be successful because your releases are often short in length,” the decision said. “You blamed CSC [Correctional Service Canada] for your lack of progress stating they misinterpreted events and interactions which led to breaches and sub-sentences.”

The parole board noted victim impact statements were received in 2003, 2022 and 2025.

Another one was submitted before they revoked Watts’ statutory release in July.

“The board has reviewed all of these and notes the clear and ongoing emotional and mental trauma you have caused through your criminal behaviour,” the decision said. “Statements also convey frustration with the ‘injustice’ of the system. The most recent submission refers to the ‘horrific’ time following you being unlawfully at large (UAL) and the fear that you might have been in their city looking for them. They express their exhaustion at having to relive events every time you breach your conditions.”

The parole board did not specify who submitted the statement.

In June, following Watts’ flight from Montreal and arrest in Hamilton, CTV News spoke to Amanda Raymond’s mother.

Teresa Trupp is frustrated with a justice system that continues to let Watts out of prison, despite repeatedly breaching his release conditions.

“I just don’t know what to say anymore, but it’s causing such anguish at this point. Again, again and again, and again and again,” she said. “We don’t want to be his victim anymore. But each time he pops up, you feel like a victim.”

Trupp added: “How are we supposed to move forward if the system won’t give us that opportunity?”

Watts will be released again. The parole board’s decision did not indicate how long he would remain behind bars, or when he would be eligible for on statutory release.